The Transit Terminator (Part 2)

Arnold Schwarzenegger liked it so much that he wanted to drive it. After all, "it's a Prius on steroids," GE's Herman Wiegman explains. The object of Schwarzenegger's interest, a hybrid locomotive from General Electric, was a powerful prop for a former actor who, as California governor, wants the Golden State to "get on board the train" of alternative fuel vehicles. "That train", Governor Schwarzenegger explained in 2006, "has already left the station". Today, forward-thinking engineers at GE are continuing to direct its progress.

Last week, CR4's Moose spoke with Dr. Herman Wiegman about his work with mobile electric power systems at General Electric's Research Center in Niskayuna, New York. In Part 1 of this three-part series, Wiegman described major opportunities and challenges with energy storage systems. He also outlined cost and sizing considerations for the batteries which power electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) . In Part 2, Herman Wiegman describes GE's first contribution to twenty-first century rail transportation – hybrid locomotives.

Hybrid Locomotives

"Trains," Wiegman explains, "are a great way to move people at a reasonable speed over mid-term distances". Although the automobile contributed to the decline of passenger rail service in the United States during the twentieth century, the high price of oil looms over America's transportation future. Expensive oil also affects Europe, an economic power which long ago adopted electric trains with overhead wires. The hybrid locomotives that General Electric is designing today, Wiegman explains, will "look much like their diesel electric brethren". The main differences are an extended cab and bulkier body to include the battery system.

Diesel-electric locomotives already have electrified vehicle platforms, so hybridizing them is a relatively simple step. The hybrid locomotive that Arnold Schwarzenegger wanted to drive isn't necessarily for passenger rail service, however. According to Dr. Wiegman, General Electric has "a keen focus on freight-moving trains". Freight haulers and other rail transportation companies are attracted to GE's hybrid locomotives because they offer an immediate fuel savings of 10 – 15% as well as carbon emissions reduction. Even the marine transportation industry wants to get in on Governor Schwarzenegger's environmental act. As Herman Wiegman explains, California companies that operate ships and tugboats want electrified systems because "they're being pressured in the L.A. basin to reduce emissions".

The specifications for GE's hybrid locomotive are impressive. In addition to its 3 to 5 megawatts (MW) of electric drive, the freight-hauler provides ~2 MW of additional power and ~1 MWhr of storage. The vehicle's battery is based on a robust, high-temperature sodium technology which provides reliable operation under a variety of conditions. General Electric's hybrid weighs more than traditional locomotives, however, and runs right up against the regulatory limits. "They're strong and heavy beasts", Wiegman explains. Still, the vehicle's heavier weight is useful in that it provides more pulling force or tractive effort (TE), literally putting more friction on the rails.

Steve Melito - The Y Files

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